Sri Lanka lifts travel advisory against Chennai

Sri Lanka on Tuesday lifted an advisory warning its nationals against travelling to Chennai, which was issued a month ago, following an attack on a group of pilgrims visiting Tamil Nadu.

"The government of Sri Lanka believes that the travel advisory is no longer required," a statement issued by the external affairs ministry said.

The travel warning was issued in early September following an attack on a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tanjavur.

The attack had come against the backdrop of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's move to send back a Sri Lankan school team of footballers and her public calls for suspension of Sri Lankan military personnel receiving training in India.

"The government of Sri Lanka views these incidents as an aberration and acknowledges that Sri Lanka nationals numbering approximately 200,000 who visit India every year are received warmly in India, including Tamil Nadu," the statement said.

It said Sri Lanka was happy with the action taken by the Indian government to ensure the safety of its citizens visiting all parts of India. Sri Lanka government also happy that Jayalalithaa herself was determined to ensure that Sri Lankans were not harmed in anyway.